Investor Relations
Latest Results
Results for the year ended 30 November 2012
WH Ireland (AIM: WHI), an established financial services group operating in Private Wealth Management and Corporate Broking, today announces its results for the year ended 30 November 2012.
Operational summary
- Further new client wins achieved in the Corporate Broking Division, and corporate client fundraisings increased to £116 million
- In the Private Wealth Management Division, funds under management and administration rose by 27% to £1.7 billion
- Acquisition of the client list from Pritchard Stockbrokers Limited in March 2012
- Second Enterprise Investment Scheme fund launched following the success of the first fund
- Since the period end, acquisition of the Seymour Pierce private client business in February 2013
Financial summary
- Group turnover increased by 8.4% to £25.1m (2011: £23.1m)
- Full year loss before tax £0.2m (2011: loss £1.4m)
- Basic earnings per share of (0.89)p (2011: (8.0)p)
- Year-end cash balances increased to £9.3m (2011: £7.4m)
- Recurring revenue increased to approximately 27% of total Group revenue
- The Board's optimistic outlook is reflected in the dividend of 0.5 pence per share
Rupert Lowe, Chairman of WH Ireland, commented: "WH Ireland made strong progress across both the Corporate Broking and Private Wealth Management Divisions during the period under review. The Board is pleased with the significant increase in the level of fundraisings for corporate clients, as well as the progress made towards achieving our goal of securing 100 quoted clients.
"In Private Wealth Management we have achieved a combination of solid organic growth, as well as increasing our funds under management and administration through acquisitions. The Board remains optimistic about the future prospects for WH Ireland, as reflected in the reinstated dividend, and we look forward to building on the sound foundations that have been laid during the period."
Chairman's statement
The Board is pleased to be able to report further progress to our shareholders, despite the ongoing backdrop of continuing economic uncertainty and unpredictable financial markets. The Group has strengthened its cash reserves, turnover and client base and whilst the profitability has been marginally disappointing, the Board's confidence in the progress we have made is underlined by returning to the dividend list with 0.5 pence per share final dividend.
The investment made into the Group's Corporate Broking division during the year has resulted in the growth of our client numbers and, despite the economic conditions, the raising of £116 million for our corporate clients. This has resulted in the Group achieving a top three position by number of AIM clients in the Adviser Rankings Guide. We continue to build on this success, whilst always ensuring that the quality of service that we provide to our corporate clients remains of a high standard.
The banking market in the UK remains dysfunctional and the service that we provide to our corporate clients, particularly through equity fundraising, is essential if the investment required to secure macro-economic growth and recovery is to be achieved. WH Ireland's 2012/13 EIS fund has had a successful investment experience in its first year having achieved returns of approximately 20%, and we are currently seeking investment for a 2013/14 fund, for another round of investment into AIM quoted companies seeking funds to secure growth.
The Group's Private Wealth Management network expanded during the year. The acquisition of the client list from Pritchard Stockbrokers Limited (“Pritchard”) in the early part of 2012 was followed by a number of their brokers joining the Group to continue their working relationships with these clients. The integration of this growth of brokers and offices, has been a key focus for the Group throughout the remainder of 2012. Our teams of people, both those who have been here throughout and those that have joined as a result of this acquisition, have striven to provide the service needed to these clients throughout this process. The Group has built on this acquisition and on our continued organic growth, and has, through it, focused on its core deliverables and its core locations. This focus has positioned WH Ireland well to move forward and also to accommodate further growth opportunities.
As I wrote in my Chairman's statement last year, many of our competitors have either been closed down or been forced to merge. The Group has been able to capitalise on opportunities presented by others in the sector experiencing pressures of rising costs combined with falling. One such opportunity since the financial year end has resulted in the acquisition of the Seymour Pierce retail client list and broking team, after its parent company went into administration. These clients and brokers are in the process of being integrated into the WH Ireland culture and operations.
The new financial year has started well. The Corporate Broking division has continued the momentum of new client wins and the Private Wealth Management division has seen improved markets and higher levels of client activity. Richard Killingbeck, who has over 25 years' investment management and private banking experience, joined us to improve the Private Wealth Management side of our business, where the Board sees great potential for developing both service levels and profitability, and was promoted to Chief Executive on 14 January 2013.
WH Ireland is a small, well capitalised company with a focus on client service. Following the acquisition of the Seymour Pierce private client business, the Group is in an enviable position of having nearly £2 billion of client funds under management and continues to approach our short term target of 100 retained quoted corporate clients. Having laid sound foundations over the past few years, the Board is confident and optimistic about the Group's future despite the uncertain market.
Rupert Lowe
Chairman
Chief Executive Officer's Report
Following my appointment as Chief Executive Officer in January 2013, I set out below my review of the progress that the Group made during the year ended 30 November 2012, as well as the Board's strategy for driving further growth in the years ahead.
The year under review saw revenue increase by 8.4% from £23.1m to £25.1m, whilst the loss before tax improved from £1.4m to £0.2m. Another key indicator of the Group's progress over the year has been the continued improvement in our balance sheet, with cash balances rising from £7.4m to £9.3m at year end, or 39.4p per share. This figure, when added to unencumbered freehold property valued at £3.0m, or 12.7p a share, places the Group in an enviable position amongst its peers in regard to this key measure.
During the year the focus and rationalisation of the Group has continued with both of the trading divisions, Corporate Broking and Private Wealth Management, demonstrating strong progress and this is particularly pleasing when viewed against the wider economic and industry background. The number of retained corporate clients has risen from 62 to 83 at year end. Importantly corporate client fund raisings increased to £116m, albeit that the actual number of transactions fell, reflecting a significant increase in the size of individual fund raisings.
In the Private Wealth Management division our discretionary, advisory and execution-only assets continued to grow, partly reflecting the acquisition of the client list from Pritchard Stockbrokers in February 2012, as well as good underlying organic growth. Total funds under management and administration rose by 27% during the year to £1.7 billion. Significant regulatory changes in this area of the business, primarily the Retail Distribution Review which became effective from 31 December 2012, have increased the costs of doing business and the Board is pleased that the majority of our key client managers and advisers have met the new industry qualification standards.
During the year ahead a number of key themes will underlie the Board's focus. In the Corporate Broking division the significant investment in recruiting the team is now complete and we are focusing our efforts on building the retained client list and on leveraging from the wider distribution channels that we have now achieved. In the Private Wealth Management division the focus is on building out our client asset base from our existing office locations and in ensuring that bespoke advice is at the core of our investment proposition. We will continue to seek small acquisitions, whether they be corporate or private client teams, to join us. In this vein, we announced the acquisition of the Seymour Pierce private client business in February 2013 which the Board believes will continue to grow both our client asset base and profitability.
A key financial metric that we pay particular close attention to is that of recurring revenue, both from retained corporate clients and fee paying private clients. At year end recurring income represented approximately 27% of total Group revenue. As a business we need to focus on increasing this level significantly, and this will be a key driver of management actions and focus in the years ahead.
Finally I would like to express my thanks to our employees for their dedication during the past year and to all of our clients, whether they be corporate or private, who have entrusted WH Ireland to manage or advise on their financial requirements.
Richard Killingbeck
Chief Executive Officer
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 30 November 2012
| Year ended | Year ended | ||
| 30 November | 30 November | ||
| 2012 | 2011 | ||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Revenue | 25,079 | 23,142 | |
| Administrative expenses | (24,989) | (24,191) | |
| Operating profit/(loss) | 90 | (1,049) | |
| Other income | 16 | 27 | |
| Investment gains | 47 | (13) | |
| Fair value losses on investments | (287) | (141) | |
| Finance income | 13 | 63 | |
| Finance expense | (56) | (60) | |
| Share of profit of associates | - | 63 | |
| Loss on disposal of associates | - | (331) | |
| Loss before tax | (177) | (1,441) | |
| Tax expense | (33) | (246) | |
| Loss for the year | (210) | (1,687) | |
| Other comprehensive income: | |||
| Valuation gains on available for sale investments | - | 182 | |
| Transferred to profit or loss on sale of investments | (1) | (30) | |
| Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income |
6 | (34) | |
| Total other comprehensive income | 5 | 118 | |
| Total comprehensive income | (205) | (1,569) | |
| Loss for the year attributable to: | |||
| Owners of the parent | (210) | (1,687) | |
| Total comprehensive income attributable to: | |||
| Owners of the parent | (205) | (1,569) | |
| Earnings per share for profit to the ordinary | |||
| equity holders of the parent during the period | 4 | ||
| Basic | (0.89)p | (8.00)p | |
| Diluted | (0.89)p | (8.00)p | |
Consolidated statement of financial position
As at 30 November 2012
| Group | Company | ||||
| As at | As at | As at | As at | ||
| 30 November | 30 November | 30 November | 30 November | ||
| 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | ||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| ASSETS | |||||
| Non-current assets | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 5 | 5,412 | 4,957 | - | - |
| Goodwill | 6 | 542 | 683 | - | - |
| Intangible assets | 7 | 604 | - | - | - |
| Subsidiaries | - | - | 1,970 | 2,544 | |
| Associates | - | - | - | - | |
| Investments | 1,251 | 942 | - | - | |
| Loan receivable | - | - | 782 | 782 | |
| Loan notes receivable | - | 25 | - | 25 | |
| Deferred tax asset | 625 | 689 | 71 | 53 | |
| 8,434 | 7,296 | 2,823 | 3,404 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Trade and other receivables | 34,266 | 26,656 | 4,984 | 5,243 | |
| Other investments | 313 | 418 | - | - | |
| Corporation tax recoverable | - | 33 | - | - | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 8 | 9,340 | 7,366 | 301 | 31 |
| 43,919 | 34,473 | 5,285 | 5,274 | ||
| Total assets | 52,353 | 41,769 | 8,108 | 8,678 | |
| LIABILITIES | |||||
| Current liabilities | |||||
| Trade and other payables | (37,238) | (27,193) | (83) | (341) | |
| Corporation tax payable | (30) | - | - | - | |
| Finance Leases < 1 Year | (119) | - | - | - | |
| Borrowings | (168) | (238) | (168) | (238) | |
| Provisions | (299) | (65) | - | - | |
| (37,854) | (27,496) | (251) | (579) | ||
| Non-current liabilities | |||||
| Borrowings | (1,519) | (1,689) | (1,519) | (1,689) | |
| Finance Leases >1 Year | (347) | - | - | - | |
| Deferred tax liability | (320) | (421) | - | - | |
| Accruals and deferred income | (41) | (144) | - | - | |
| Provisions | (21) | (21) | - | - | |
| (2,248) | (2,275) | (1,519) | (1,689) | ||
| Total liabilities | (40,102) | (29,771) | (1,770) | (2,268) | |
| Total net assets | 12,251 | 11,998 | 6,338 | 6,410 | |
| EQUITY | |||||
| Share capital | 1,184 | 1,171 | 1,184 | 1,171 | |
| Share premium | - | 6,406 | - | 6,406 | |
| Available-for-sale reserve | 170 | 165 | - | - | |
| Other reserves | 982 | 1,472 | 229 | 719 | |
| Retained earnings | 10,697 | 3,853 | 4,925 | (1,599) | |
| Treasury shares | (782) | (1,069) | - | (287) | |
| Total equity | 12,251 | 11,998 | 6,338 | 6,410 | |
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the year ended 30 November 2012
| Group | Company | ||||
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||
| 30 November |
30 November |
30 November |
30 November |
||
| 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Operating activities: | |||||
| Loss for the year | (210) | (1,687) | (530) | (399) | |
| Adjustments for: | |||||
| Depreciation, amortisation and impairment | 5,6 & 7 | 372 | 3,846 | 573 | 1 |
| Finance income | (13) | (63) | - | (1) | |
| Finance expense | 56 | 60 | - | 53 | |
| Taxation | 33 | 246 | (18) | (39) | |
| Share of profit of associates | - | (63) | - | - | |
| Loss on disposal of associates | - | 331 | - | 10 | |
| Changes in investments | 130 | 664 | - | - | |
| Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment | - | 3 | - | - | |
| Non-cash adjustment for share option charge | 325 | 75 | 326 | 75 | |
| Decrease in trade and other receivables | (7,610) | 10,547 | 259 | (539) | |
| Decrease in trade and other payables | 9,940 | (9,256) | (258) | (11) | |
| (Increase) in provisions | 234 | (83) | - | - | |
| (Increase) in current asset investments | 105 | (418) | - | - | |
| Net cash generated from / (used in) operations | 3,362 | 4,202 | 352 | (850) | |
| Income taxes (paid) / received | - | (14) | - | - | |
| Net cash in / (out) flows from operating activities | 3,362 | 4,188 | 352 | (850) | |
| Investing activities: | |||||
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | - | - | - | - | |
| Proceeds from sale of investments | 664 | 1,273 | - | 816 | |
| Interest received | 13 | 63 | - | 1 | |
| Interest Paid: Finance Leases | (18) | - | - | ||
| Disposal of associates | - | 888 | - | 935 | |
| Acquisition of property, plant and equipment | 5 | (686) | (191) | - | - |
| Acquisition of investments | (1,103) | (1,243) | - | - | |
| Acquisition of Intangibles | 7 | (604) | - | - | - |
| Redemption of loan notes | 25 | 310 | 25 | 310 | |
| Net cash generated from investing activities | (1,709) | 1,100 | 25 | 2,062 | |
| Financing activities: | |||||
| Proceeds from issue of share capital | 133 | 7 | 133 | 7 | |
| Proceeds from issue of share capital to EBT | - | - | - | 782 | |
| Loan to EBT | - | - | - | (782) | |
| Increase in borrowings | 244 | (308) | (240) | (308) | |
| Interest paid | (56) | (60) | - | (53) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | 321 | (361) | (107) | (354) | |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 1,974 | 4,927 | 270 | 858 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 7,366 | 2,439 | 31 | (827) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 9,340 | 7,366 | 301 | 31 | |
| Clients' settlement cash | 4,189 | 3,683 | - | - | |
| Group cash | 5,151 | 3,683 | 301 | 31 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 8 | 9,340 | 7,366 | 301 | 31 |
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 30 November 2012
| Available- | |||||||
| Share | Share | for-sale | Other | Retained | Treasury | Total | |
| capital | premium | reserve | reserves | earnings | shares | equity | |
| Group | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Balance at 1 December 2010 | 1,064 | 5,724 | 47 | 1,472 | 5,465 | (287) | 13,485 |
| Gains arising on available-for-sale investments | - | - | 152 | - | - | - | 152 |
| Deferred taxation | - | - | (34) | - | - | - | (34) |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | 118 | - | - | - | 118 |
| Loss after taxation | - | - | - | - | (1,687) | - | (1,687) |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | 118 | - | (1,687) | - | (1,569) |
| Shares options exercised | 1 | 6 | - | - | - | - | 7 |
| Shares issued to ESOT | 106 | 676 | - | - | - | (782) | - |
| Employee share option scheme | - | - | - | - | 75 | - | 75 |
| Balance at 30 November 2011 | 1,171 | 6,406 | 165 | 1,472 | 3,853 | (1,069) | 11,998 |
| Gains arising on available-for-sale investments | - | - | (1) | - | - | - | (1) |
| Deferred taxation | - | - | 6 | - | - | - | 6 |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | 5 | - | - | - | 5 |
| Loss after taxation | - | - | - | - | (210) | - | (210) |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | (210) | - | (210) |
| Shares options exercised | 13 | 120 | - | - | - | - | 133 |
| Employee share option scheme | - | - | - | - | 325 | - | 325 |
| Share capital reduction | - | (6,526) | - | - | 6,526 | - | - |
| Reserve transfer | - | - | - | (490) | 490 | - | - |
| Treasury shares issued to employees | - | - | - | - | (287) | 287 | - |
| Balance at 30 November 2012 | 1,184 | - | 170 | 982 | 10,697 | (782) | 12,251 |
The total number of authorised ordinary shares is 34.5 million shares of 5p each (2011: 34.5 million shares of 5p each). The total number of issued ordinary shares is 23.6 million shares of 5p each (2011: 23.4 million shares of 5p each). 264,785 shares were issued during the year (2011: 2,143,218), of which none (2011: 2,128,000) are held as Treasury (note 28).
| Available- | |||||||
| Share | Share | for-sale | Other | Retained | Treasury | Total | |
| capital | premium | reserve | reserves | earnings | shares | equity | |
| Company | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Balance at 1 December 2010 | 1,064 | 5,724 | (155) | 719 | (1,275) | (287) | 5,790 |
| Loss arising on available-for-sale investments | - | - | 155 | - | - | - | 155 |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | 155 | - | - | - | 155 |
| Loss after taxation | - | - | - | - | (399) | - | (399) |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | 155 | - | (399) | - | (244) |
| Share options exercised | 1 | 7 | - | - | - | - | 8 |
| Shares issued to EBT | 106 | 675 | - | - | - | - | 781 |
| Employee share option scheme | - | - | - | - | 75 | - | 75 |
| Balance at 30 November 2011 | 1,171 | 6,406 | - | 719 | (1,599) | (287) | 6,410 |
| Loss arising on available-for-sale investments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Loss after taxation | - | - | - | - | (530) | - | (530) |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | (530) | - | (530) |
| Shares options exercised | 13 | 120 | - | - | - | - | 133 |
| Employee share option scheme | - | - | - | - | 325 | - | 325 |
| Share capital reduction | - | (6,526) | - | - | 6,526 | - | - |
| Reserve transfer | - | - | - | (490) | 490 | - | - |
| Treasury shares issued to employees | - | - | - | - | (287) | 287 | - |
| Balance at 30 November 2012 | 1,184 | - | - | 229 | 4,925 | - | 6,338 |
The nature and purpose of each reserve, whether Consolidated or Company only, is summarised below:
Share premium
The share premium is the amount raised on the issue of shares that is in excess of the nominal value of those shares and is recorded less any direct costs of issue.
Available-for-sale reserve
The available-for-sale reserve reflects gains or losses arising from the change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets except for impairment losses which are recognised in the income statement. When an available-for-sale asset is impaired or derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in the available-for-sale reserve is transferred to the income statement.
Other reserves
Other reserves comprise a (consolidated) merger reserve of £754k (2011: £1,244k) and a (consolidated) capital redemption reserve of £228k (2011: £228k).
Retained earnings
Retained earnings reflect; accumulated income, expenses, gains and losses, recognised in the income statement and the statement of recognised income and expense and is net of dividends paid to shareholders. The cumulative effect of changes in accounting policy is also reflected as an adjustment in retained earnings.
On 28 November 2012 the Company was granted a Court Order approving a Capital Reduction, which became effective on 29 November 2012. This reduction created distributable reserves by cancelling the amount standing to the credit of the Company's share premium account.
Treasury shares
Purchases of the Company's own shares in the market are presented as a deduction from equity, at the amount paid, including transaction costs. That is, treasury shares are shown as a separate class of shareholders' equity with a debit balance.
Notes
The notes are available in the printable pdf of the results. To download it, please click here
Page last up-dated: 27 March 2013